I have been accepted to go to the University of Bologna through Erasmus for my year abroad next year, and I am wondering how long do classes usually run for / what are the hours like at the university? Any feedback would be really appreciated!

I've just created a TYA account just so I could ask this question, so I hope it's okay if I ask it.
I'm not at university at the minute, but am 18 and hoping to study Spanish and French from GCSE level all the way up to A2 level, and then take French to degree level, picking Russian up ab initio.
My main concern with picking up Russian from scratch is that with it being a Slavic language, it will be much, much harder to learn alongside French, as opposed to Italian or Portuguese. I've been told that there's not a lot of people who speak English in Russia, even in the big cities such as St. Petersburg and Moscow, so you're obviously going to be forced to use your Russian skills, but I'm still not sure as to whether or not I'd actually be able to reach a native standard of Russian, which is my main goal with both of the languages I wish to pursue at uni.
Also, slightly unrelated, but still relevant to Russia: Has anyone who is gay spent their year abroad in Russia? I'm not too worried about this for when I get there, because I still get people who I've known for 10 years ask if I'm gay. It's not obvious.
So, my two questions are:
How much did your Russian improve by the time you got home from Russia?
Are attitudes towards homosexuality really as bad as everyone says they are?
Thanks,
Joe

I want to leave it as late as possible so that I dont have time to feel alone and I want to have lots of things to do. I thought by leaving it late, I could just be thrown into everything. Do you think this is too late?

I will be living in Nice, France from January 1st until the end of June 2017. I have no previous experience with the French housing market nor with Nice at all. Where are the best places to be as a student? I would preferably like a house share/family to live with as I don't want to live alone!

Have had an offer for a flat in Patraix? Is it a particularly good region?
Is the 'done thing' to stay in a hostel for a week or so whilst you find accommodation out there, rather than doing it online before departure?

I receive a State Pension from the uk paying my tax in the UK, I live in Portugal and have an apartment I wish to rent out, I need an A1 form to declare that I am in receipt of the pension in order to exempt me from paying Social Security contributions, where do I apply for this.

I'm going to Toulouse next week to begin studying for one semester, but I havent found anywhere to stay yet. Does anyone have any suggestions? I don't have a French guarantor and would rather avoid having to sort that out as I'm only there for a couple of months.

I am a part owner of a house in Portugal which is held in a company. My accountants are saying I must produce an A1 form otherwise the 'Company' will have to pay social security contributions Are they correct and is it because the house is held in a company?.I am a 71 year old pensioner and I have no earned income in either the UK or Portugal. The house is not rented out and I only use it for approx 12 weeks a year broken into separate holiday periods. I have sent the authorities proof of the fact that I receive a pension in the UK .

I am interested in hearing from International Students finishing their year abroad or even native Japanese students to ask a couple of questions about their year abroad in Japan or as a full time student respectively at a Japanese university that I will list.
By November, I need to select my University for my year abroad in Japan, in which my degree is International Relations with Modern Languages (Japanese). I am interested in three main things:
One: How hard do the following universities work you in comparison to your college or university or home country? Is getting part-time work achievable?
Two: Are international connections good? E.g. International Student Circles etc.
Three: What are travel opportunities like in these areas?
The following universities I have to choose from:
Akita International University
Gakushuin University
Hokkaido University
International Christian University
Kansai University
Kobe University ( I understand that this is a women's college, however for the sake of it being in Kansai, I have kept it on the list)
Meiji University
Meiji Gakuin University
Okayama University
Ritsumeikan University
Ryukoku University
Sophia University
Waseda University
Yokohama National University
Even if you weren't a student from these universities, at least you will be able to answer the other questions in regards to the international connections and travel opportunities in these regions.
Many Regards.